{"id":8,"date":"2026-10-11T00:07:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T13:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/tattoo-aftercare-the-first-two-weeks\/"},"modified":"2026-10-15T00:07:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T00:07:41","slug":"tattoo-aftercare-the-first-two-weeks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/tattoo-aftercare-the-first-two-weeks\/","title":{"rendered":"Tattoo aftercare: the first two weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new tattoo is an open wound for the first days, so how you look after it makes a real difference to how it heals and how it looks later. Your artist will give you their own instructions: always follow those first. This is the general routine many studios recommend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Day 1: leave the wrap, then wash gently<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep the wrap or film on for as long as your artist said. When it comes off, wash your hands, then wash the tattoo with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented soap. Pat it dry with a clean paper towel rather than a cloth towel, and let it air dry for a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Days 2 to 4: clean, thin and breathable<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wash the tattoo two or three times a day with clean hands.<\/li>\n\n<li>Apply a very thin layer of the aftercare product your artist recommended. If it looks shiny or greasy, it is too much.<\/li>\n\n<li>Wear loose, clean clothes over it and sleep on clean sheets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Days 5 to 14: flaking and itching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The skin starts to flake and peel, a bit like a healing sunburn, and it often itches. This is normal. Do not pick, scratch or peel it, as that can pull ink out. A light tap or a little more moisturiser usually helps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Avoid swimming pools, the sea, baths, hot tubs and saunas until the skin has fully closed.<\/li>\n\n<li>Keep the tattoo out of strong sun and do not use sunbeds.<\/li>\n\n<li>Hold off on tight straps, heavy workouts that rub the area, and shaving over it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After two weeks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The surface usually looks healed after two or three weeks, but the deeper skin takes longer. Keep moisturising, and once it has closed, protect it with a high-SPF sunscreen to keep lines sharp and colours bright. Many studios offer a free touch-up check after healing, so ask about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to ask for advice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some redness and tenderness for the first few days is common. If you notice heat, spreading redness, swelling that gets worse, a fever, or anything that worries you, contact a doctor or pharmacist. This article is general information, not medical advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A simple, day-by-day routine for a fresh tattoo, what is normal while it heals, and when to ask for advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":19,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38,"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8\/revisions\/38"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/block.ltheme.com\/lt-inkline\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}